Dispensing device



Filed Nov. 1, 1955 United StatesPatent O 2,837,251 DISPENSING DEVICE Douglas Ainslie Moir, Grafton, and Gordon George Webber, South Grafton, New South Wales, Australia Application November 1, 1955, Serial No. 544,312 Claims priority, application Australia November 1954 1 Claim. (Cl. 222-490) This invention relates to an improved dispensing de vice suitable for dispensing pastes, liquids and the like from containers such as collapsible tubes, plastic squeeze bottles and the like.

Most collapsible tubes and similar containers at present in use are fitted with a screw threaded cap which screws onto the neck of the container. Such closures have disadvantages and in particular, when they are removed, uncontrolled outflow of the contents of a tube can take place, involving waste and rendering return of the closure diflicult. Screw askew and when so fastened may leak or admit air to the contents of a tube.

Attempts have been made to provide dispensing closures for collapsible tubes which are free of the disadvantages of screw-caps. However, joyed practical success due, in some cases, to undue complexity of construction and in others to their requiring a separate screw-cap or other closure apart from their dispensing element.

One object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device and closure member by means of which the foregoing and other disadvantages of the prior art are overcome and which may be simply and economically produced.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing device and closure member particularly adapted for use with collapsible tubes formed from plastic ma-.

terial which are sufficiently elastic to recover their shape after collapsing deformation, unless adequately sealed against ingress of air.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent in the following description.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a dispensing device and closure member adapted to be secured to a collapsible container comprising an elastic tubular member provided at one end with a non-return valve closure and provided at the other end with a coupling member the assembly being adapted for reversible attachment to the neck of said container thus permitting communication between elastic tubular member when in its dispensing position and securing closure of the container neck by inward projection of the tubular member when the device is applied in reversed sealing relationship.

Further in accordance with the invention there is provided a container neck having a cylindrical bore of which the side wall extends inwardly of the container to support the elastic tubular member against lateral deformation when fitted tainer.

The invention is now. described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of dispensing and closure device;

- Figure 2 is a vertical section of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of another form of the device; and

threaded caps may readily be fastened known devices have not enthe container and the flexible into said bore to seal the con- 2,837,25l Patented June 3, 1958 Figure 4 is a sectional view of the neck of a collapsible container adapted for cooperative use with the dispensing and closure device of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the device consists in a tubular member 1 moulded from rubber and having a rounded outer end '2, having a slitted portion 3, the slittcd end forming a non-return valve. The inner end of the tubular member 1 is provided with a pair of annular flanges 6, 6a, defining an annular retaining groove, whereby the tubular member is secured to its coupling member 4 by engagement of annular ridge 5 formed internally of the coupling member as shown in Figure 2, with the annular retaining groove. The coupling member 4 is internally screw-threaded to allow its being reversibly coupled with a cooperatively threaded container neck.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated by Figure 3 is characterised by the tubular member 1 being formed integrally with the coupling member 4.

Figure 4 of the drawing illustrates an externally screw-threaded neck of a collapsible container adapted for use with the device of the invention, wherein the neck 8 is provided with an extended cylindrical bore 9 at least equal in length to a tubular member and adapted to support such tubular member against lateral deformation when inserted into the bore when the device is employed as a closure. The bore 9 is provided with an annular ridge 10 near its outer end. The ridge 10 serves the dual purpose of a sealing ring to avoid seepage outwardly of the bore and that of a cleansing scraper to free the tubular member 1 from adherent traces of a tube contents, when removed from its sealing position for connection in its dispensing position. The bore 9 is formed such a diameter as will slidably admit a selected size of tubular member.

For purposes of better retention of a tubular member in the bore 9, said tubular member may be formed with .an outwardly projecting annular flange adapted to engage with the annular ridge 10, formed in the bore 9.

This construction is appropriate when employing the form of the invention illustrated by Figure 2.

In dispensing operation the device in accordance with the invention'is screwed onto the neck of the collapsible tube with the elongated tubular member extending outwardly therefrom and with the inner end of the tubular member in communication with the bore in the neck of the collapsible tube. The pressure applied to the flange on the tubular member positioned between the neck and the flange on the coupling member provides a tight seal which prevents the contents of the collapsible tube from leaking. When pressure is applied to the collapsible tube the contents are forced into the bore of the tubular member and through the slit forming the nonreturn valve. When the pressure is released the sides of the slit come together and seal the tube.

When it is desired to seal the tube for travelling or storage the device is unscrewed and reversed. The elongated tubular member is pushed into the neck of the tube to seal it. In the case of the preferred embodiments illustrated by Figures '1, 2 and 3, the other end of the coupling member is screwed onto the neck of the contained. In this reversed position the flanged portion of the tubular member is forced onto the neck of the collapsible tube by the coupling member to provide a tight seal. The contents of the collapsible tube do not escape through the non-return valve. Secure closure of a collapsible tube by the tubular member is enhanced by the extended bore of the neck of such tube which prevents any lateral bending of the tubular member, which might otherwise result in its being flattened by compressive force from the contents of a collapsible tube and allow escape of a tube contents. The closure 3 4 i in accordance with the invention will maintain a seal at internally intermediate the ends of said coupling membel pressures greater than would rupture the walls of a said coupling member being internally screw-threaded a collapsible container. both ends for attachment to. the screw-threaded con We claim: 7 a

A dispensing device and closure member adapted to 5 be secured to a container with a screw-threaded neck comprising a coupling member, an elastic tubular memtainer neck, said ridge being received within the groove References Cited in the file of this patent her having one end constricted and provided with a slit UNITED STATES PATENTS opening in the constricted end forming a non-return 1,531,245 Ozanne Mar. 24, 1925 valve and being further provided at its other end with an 10 2,546,681 Searer Mar. 27, 1951 annular retaining groove, and an annular ridge formed 

